Leaders Offer Ways To Boost School Safety

May 25, 1999|By Amanda Beeler.

LAKE COUNTY — Police chiefs, a juvenile police officer, school principals and school district superintendents will discuss school safety plans and suggest ways to strengthen partnerships throughout Lake County at a public meeting Thursday.

The meeting, whose hosts are Lake County State's Atty. Michael Waller, Sheriff Gary Del Re and Regional School Supt. Edward Gonwa, was organized shortly after the Colorado school shootings.

An estimated 150 people are expected to attend the meeting that was planned as a way to involve all members of the community in working to keep schools safe and improve the environment in the schools.

A panel of 11 speakers, including the meeting's hosts, police chiefs and school principals and superintendents, will make presentations, said Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Lou Kadlec.

The panel presentations will be followed by group discussion and, ideally, the formation of a group to look into ways to make schools safer.

"Hopefully this is just a start," Kadlec said.

The meeting will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Holiday Inn, 6161 W. Grand Ave. in Gurnee. For information call, 847-360-5850.